Triggs, Merritt Leo

Merritt Leo Triggs, 88, of Mount Ayr, passed away Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009, in the Mount Ayr Health Care Center. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at First Christian Church, Mount Ayr, with burial in Rose Hill Cemetery. Visitation, with the family present, will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Watson-Armstrong Funeral Home, 205 W. Monroe St, Mount Ayr.

Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife, Lorene Triggs of Mount Ayr; daughter-in-law, Marilyn Triggs Brower of Cedar Rapids; two wonderful grandsons, Dr. John D. Triggs of Chicago, and Andrew J. Triggs, a student at the University of Iowa in Iowa City; honorary sons, Mike and Pete Christina of Omaha, Neb.; brother-in-law, Alex McPherson of Wheaton, Ill.; and many dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Allan J. in 1996, whom he loved and was so proud of; and his brother, Marvin Triggs.

Merritt, son of John William and Carrie Hutchinson Triggs, was born May 14, 1921, on a farm south of Mount Ayr, known as the Old Ferber farm. He graduated from Mount Ayr High School. He accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior in 1946, and was baptized by the Rev. Harold Reel. He joined the First Christian Church and had been a faithful member since.

On June 29, 1947, Merritt was united in marriage to Lorene Stafford in the First Christian Church by Rev. Reel. To this union was born one child, a son, Allan Jay Triggs on Oct. 15, 1950. Merritt grew up in a fair family, as his father was involved in showing at several county fairs, as well as the Iowa State Fair. Merritt continued this family tradition and showed at fairs also. He attended his first state fair at the age of 4 with his parents and never missed as long as

they had the fair. He served as secretary, treasurer and manager of the Ringgold County Fair for 24 years. He served on the Iowa State Fair Board for 21 years; serving on committees as vice president and three years as president. The fair was his life and joy; second only to his wife and family. Merritt was also a member of the Lions Club in Clearfield, Iowa.

Memorials are to the First Christian Church.